Filmmaker Ventura Pons’ funeral in Barcelona honors a prolific Catalan cinema career
Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at Les Corts funeral home in Barcelona this Thursday to bid farewell to the celebrated filmmaker Ventura Pons. Attendees recalled his enduring impact on Catalan cinema and the idea of a life lived through cinema, a sentiment echoed by his brother Josep Pons and close friend Miquel Rei.
The farewell featured a somber ceremony around a casket adorned with posters from Pons’ films, while projections displayed photographs from his personal and professional life. Live music by Carles Cases, the composer behind many of his soundtracks, filled the room as the moments unfolded.
Isabel Torra, a childhood friend and art director on several Pons projects, opened the speeches by describing him as an extraordinary and tireless author who helped shape much of the country’s cinema history. Her tribute set a tone that would be carried through the rest of the discussions.
Josep Pons followed, expressing that the filmmaker’s life had reached its end while emphasizing love for country, family, friends, and cinema. He shared childhood memories and recalled that Ventura enjoyed performing when he was younger, a note that drew laughter from the attendees.
Ignasi Millet, a museologist and close friend who dedicated a film to Pons, recalled Ventura’s intense and impulsive personality. Millet described him as a force of nature who inspired many colleagues and supporters during challenging times. He highlighted Pons’ commitment to the LGBT+ community, noting that the director featured these stories prominently in his work, a choice praised by actors and cinematographers alike for its courage and honesty.
Producer Miquel Rei expressed sorrow over the untimely loss of his partner, who passed away at the age of 78. Rei celebrated Pons’ resilient spirit and shared a line from a half-finished book the director was writing: life may not grant every wish, but it never managed to erase a smile. The message underscored the vitality that defined Pons and his approach to art.
During the memorial, a tribute poem by Catalan poet Pere Quart was recited to honor the director’s career, acknowledging his shift from theater to cinema and recognizing the way his work bridged different art forms. Catalan cinema’s leadership reflected on the legacy Pons leaves behind both on screen and in the broader cultural landscape.
Judith Colell, president of the Catalan Cinema Academy, spoke of the irreparable loss and recalled that Pons shot in Catalan at a time when few others did. She noted that his contributions left the industry with a sense of being suddenly lighter and more alive. Fellow actor Francesc Orella joined in praising Colell as one of the strongest voices in Catalan cinema while noting how Pons infused life into every project he touched.
The ceremony drew notable figures from film and theater, including actors Joan Pera, Carme Sansa, and directors Mario Gas and Rosa Vergés. Other cultural leaders such as Isona Passola and journalist Pilar Rahola were also present, underscoring the broad reach of Pons’ influence. The Minister of Culture, Natàlia Garriga, described him as a filmmaker and a person who devoted decades to the language and country, bringing laughter and tears to many audiences.
Various political figures visited the funeral chapel, including former municipal leaders and culture officials. In the days ahead, a tribute is planned at the Filmoteca de Catalunya, organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Catalan Film Academy, recognizing Pons with the Gaudí Honor Award he received in 2015. The family hopes institutions will continue to acknowledge his profound impact on the nation’s cultural life.
Ventura Pons’ legacy endures through the films he created and the conversations his work continues to spark. The gathering reflected not only on a personal loss but also on a cultural milestone that shaped a generation of Catalan cinema and remains an enduring source of inspiration for future storytellers. The collective memory of his contributions will likely continue to guide and influence aspiring filmmakers and audiences alike, long after the final curtain falls.
Related posts:
Tribute and Public Farewell for Catalan Filmmaker Ventura Pons Legacy and Lost Projects: Ventura Pons and Baulenas Remembered Ventura Pons and Alicante: a cinematic thread that shaped a city’s film heritage Medina Azahara: a double album and a renewed quest in Andalusian rock La piedad: a bold, pink-infused portrait of love, fear, and the urge for freedom PONS IP Launches SINGULAR TM: A Global ALSP Platform for IP Management A Reflection on Soler, Ventura, and Democratic Legacies in Valencia Sorogoyen on Monsters, cinema, and the life of a filmmaker Inflation, War, and Energy: Spain’s Price Dynamics in a Turbulent Era – A 2024 Perspective Horn-like Features on 12P/Pons-Brooks Highlight Cryovolcanic Activity During 2024 Close Approach Transforming the Catalan Voice on Spain’s Central Bank Board Carlos Saura Remembered: A Lifetime of Vision and Vitality in Spanish Cinema